A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography | Tate Modern
Ruth Ossai, Student nurses Alfrah, Adabesi, Odah, Uzoma, Abor and Aniagolum. Onitsha, Anambra state, Nigeria, 2018. Photograph, inkjet print on paper; 1016 × 673 mm. © Ruth Ginika Ossai
Written by Emily Ranieri
In honoring the manifold landscape of modern African photography, the Tate Modern gallery in London is showcasing “A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography” from July 6, 2023, until January 14, 2024. The group show transcends the conventions of a traditional exhibition, generously granting viewers access to the works of different generations and backgrounds of artists. Drawing upon themes of spirituality, identity, urbanism, and climate crisis, the show finds common ground between the experiences of individuals from different generations. The illusory, dream-like images immerse the viewer into a pseudo-utopia, while inviting them to reflect on how African photography's past and future landscapes simultaneously influence one another.
Aïda Muluneh, Star Shine Moon Glow, 2018. From the Series Water Life. Photograph, inkjet print on paper; 800 x 800mm. Commissioned by WaterAid and supported by the H&M Foundation. © Aïda Muluneh
“A World in Common” celebrates the work of 36 artists with varying photographic styles. Aida Muluneh, an artist from Ethiopia, showcases her image, “Star Shine Moon Glow,” from her 2018 “Water Life” collection. In this collection, Muluneh addresses the issue of water access for women in rural areas of Africa, and each image in this collection connects water access to women’s liberation and health. “Star Shine Moon Glow” features a white-painted woman sitting in the middle of the image with a stream of black and white stripes flowing from her; vibrant red fabric sprawls from her sides like wings. The colorful potency of the woman pops against the muted background of the desert, demonstrating the specific plight of the woman in water access. Muluneh’s brilliant ability to create alignment and symmetry draws the eye from the top of the image to the bottom, following the black-and-white stream and allowing the viewer to focus on the subject.
Cristina de Middel, Butungakuna, 2012. Photograph, inkjet print on paper; 970 x 970 mm. © Cristina de Middel
Spanish documentary photographer Cristina de Middel is also featured in “A World in Common,” with work from her 2012 photobook The Afronauts. Investigating the history of Zambia’s failed space program in the 1960s, the book was met with critical acclaim following its release. These images, including “Butungakuna,” showcased in “A World in Common,” demonstrate de Middel’s imagined ideas of the Zambia space program. The images are highly-stylized, emphasizing the dreamy quality of the entire show. Her image “Butungakuna” captures her imaginary world, showing an astronaut in a colorful spacesuit alongside an African elephant.
Maïmouna Guerresi, M-eating – students and teacher, 2012. 5 photographs, colour, lambda print, on paper mounted on aluminium; 1500 × 3880 mm. Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim
Mario Macilau, Breaking News from The Profit Corner series, 2015. Archival pigment print on cotton rag paper. © Mário Macilau, Courtesy Ed Cross Fine Art
“A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography” also highlights the work of Mario Macilau, a photographer who explores the living and environmental conditions of the underprivileged in his home country of Mozambique. Specializing in long-term projects, Macilau seeks to speak on the complicated lives of Mozambicans. An image from his 2015 series “Profit Corner” titled “Breaking News” emphasizes his mission; a young boy is seen through an old television set atop a pile of rubble and debris. A menacing cloud of smoke surges in the background, fillin the space of the television screen behind the boy. Mario Macilau’s black-and-white photographs serve to highlight Mozambique’s political plight, as the lack of color feels rather photojournalistic. Despite the stylized nature of the images, Macilau grounds the viewer in reality through his use of black-and-white photography.
